A startling fact was disclosed last week at the University of Montana’s Montana Economic Outlook Seminar. Last year, across all 56 counties in Montana, 40% of total payroll growth occurred in Gallatin County alone. Wow! Payroll in Bozeman and the surrounding areas expanded over $100M in a single year from Q2 of 2013 to Q2 of 2014. Think about that. Bozeman even beat the Bakken for wage increases last year.
As it turns out, high-tech startups are the primary reason for Gallatin County’s growth. We must support all private sector industries in Montana, but the advent of the Internet brings a new and unique opportunity to the state. This incredible expansion of wages and prosperity for Montanans in Gallatin County reinforces what we have been saying for some time: High tech represents a huge opportunity for high-wage job creation in every Montana community. When we encourage and support our entrepreneurs, and make sure Montanans are prepared for these high-wage jobs, we can duplicate Gallatin County’s success around the state. Plus, high-tech jobs create opportunities for people of all backgrounds and skills. As a consequence of this expansion in Gallatin County, unemployment here is some of the lowest in the state. I understand that even jobs at our local McDonalds in Bozeman pay $12/hour due to the labor shortage and the availability of options for people looking for work. Plus, these new high-wage job earners build homes, creating construction jobs, and they go out to shop and dine, enhancing main street and other local businesses. Everyone benefits when more money is brought into a community.
(I should also note that this growth occurred without any special government program or special tax breaks. It was just the pure and simple private sector success, resulting from hard work, risk taking, and the invincible Montana work ethic.)
Better jobs are possible in Montana. Gallatin County proved it this past year.
So how do we keep this economic activity going in other communities in Montana? We’ve already begun. We launched the Montana High Tech Business Alliance nearly a year ago and already have over 140 member firms from all over western Montana. Member companies like Goomzee and ATG in Missoula, ViZn Energy in the Flathead, Printing for Less in Livingston, and Helix in Dillon, in addition to the next generation of high-tech startups in Bozeman, represent the seeds for massive future growth in opportunities for all Montanans.
Better jobs are possible in Montana. Gallatin County proved it this past year. Personally, I want to see other counties around the state give Gallatin a run for its money. Based on the talented entrepreneurs I have been meeting all over the state, I think that is exactly what is going to happen.
